Marcos joins regional leaders in wedding of Brunei prince

LAVISH CEREMONY Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei marries fashion and tourism entrepreneur Yang Mulia Anisha Rosnah binti Adamon Sunday.—AFP

President Marcos joined regional leaders on Sunday in gracing the lavish wedding of Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei, son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan.

Mr. Marcos, who left for Brunei on Saturday evening, joined other guests such as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and royalty from the Middle East. He was due to return home also on Sunday.

“The President’s attendance to the royal wedding reaffirms the strength of the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Brunei,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.

Prince Mateen, 32, once called one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors, is sixth in line of succession to the throne.

He married Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah binti Adam, a fashion and tourism entrepreneur. Her father is a special advisor to the sultan, once the world’s richest man.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam were established on Jan. 1, 1984 when the oil-rich sultanate gained independence from the United Kingdom.

On the same day, the Philippine consulate general in Bandar Seri Begawan was elevated to an embassy. The sultanate later opened an embassy in Makati City.

Brunei hosts more than 22,000 overseas Filipino workers. INQ